SOUNDTRACK: THE DIVINE COMEDY-Casanova (1996)
Following Promenade, Neil Hannon released Casanova. Stylistically it is very different. It features more of a band, rather than an orchestra (although it retains an orchestral feel). Perhaps because of this, there were three singles from the album, all of which charted in the UK. “Something for the Weekend” is a wonderfully fun song, full of twists and double crosses, sex and debauchery and, of course, something in the woodshed (all in just over 4 minutes). It’s a fantastic lead off single.
The second track was the second single “Becoming More Like Alfie.” This was long before the remake of the movie Alfie, so I had no idea what the song was referring to. I have not seen either version of the film, but I know now that Alfie is a ladies man, as the chorus leads off, “Everybody knows that no means yes…”
In fact, the whole album deals with sex. Loving sex, debauched sex. Sex, sex, sex.
“Songs of Love” follows a few of the more debauched songs with a beautiful ballad of a shy young man who sits in his bedroom noticing that “while they search for a mate/My type hibernate/In bedrooms above/Composing their songs of love.” The next song “The Frog Princess” was the third single. It is a sweet and tender ballad of love. Until you get to the end of the song in which the narrator wonders, “But how was I to know that just one kiss/Could turn my frog into a cow?”
The album is solid and wholly enjoyable. And it’s clear that Neil wasn’t done with songs about love as shortly after Casanova he released A Short Album About Love.
READ: [December 2008] No Dead Time
From time to time I do an order directly from Oni Press. I tend to order a bunch of graphic novels at a time, and this was one that sounded interesting. The general premise is that Nozomi is a young girl who works in a record store. She’s fed up with the stupid people she has to deal with all day. (“You were looking for (Led) Zeppelin under Z, weren’t you?”) Meanwhile Seth is an IT guy who is sick of the corporate world, and sick of dealing with his boss.
But really the first thing you notice about this comic, is the totally bizarre looking characters. (more…)
SOUNDTRACK: RICHARD THOMPSON-Sweet Warrior (2007).
I recently posted a bunch of reviews of RTs back catalog, and here’s his latest release. I almost feel like it’s a waste of time for me to review this because, what can I say? It’s great. Strong songs from start to finish. Catchy rockers, bitter ballads, everything is fabulous. My only negative mark is that the third song, a slow ballad, is really long, about 7 minutes, and there’s nothing remarkable about it to justify that length. It’s a pretty enough song, but could have a few minutes lopped off of it. Otherwise, the album is great.
SOUNDTRACK: THE SHINS-Wincing the Night Away (2007).
The best example of a crassly commercial attempt to sell music comes in the movie High Fidelity when John Cusack states “I will now sell 3 copies of the Beta Band’s 3EPs.” Because the tone is right, and he’s in a store, and he’s obsessed about music, it all works. And, because the song is great, you really want him to sell those records. Now, I’ve no idea A) if the Beta Band paid to have this done or B) if Cusack or someone else just really likes the Beta Band or C) if the movie had any impact on sales, but it’s still a great moment in movie/music synchrony. In Garden State, the movie, Natalie Portman says The Shins will change your life. 
SOUNDTRACK: THE KINKS-Come Dancing with the Kinks (1986) & THE TRAGICALLY HIP-World Container (2006).
THE KINKS-Come Dancing with the Kinks: I’m not sure if I’m getting older or more maudlin, but I recall being younger and really disliking “Come Dancing,” the song because it was wimpy. Then as I got a little older I liked it because it was fun, with the surprise “swing” section in the middle. Now, I find I’m really moved by the song. So, yes, I’m getting older. That’s okay.
[READ: June 2007] Polly and the Pirates.
I Just Read About That... 